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The four courses labeled "Survey" assume no prior knowledge of the subject matter. Those marked "advanced" build on the specific introductory course cited as a prerequisite.

PSC 111 Survey of American Government and Politics
An analysis of the powers, functions, and political bases of government in America, including attention to democratic theory, civil liberties, political parties and pressure groups, campaigns and elections, Congress and the Presidency, judicial review, federal-state-local relations, and public policy making in domestic, foreign and budgetary areas. This course is offered both semesters.
Credits: 1

PSC 122 Survey of Comparative Politics
Comparative Politics is a sprawling field of inquiry in which scholars
investigate issues ranging from the origins of revolution to the family
planning policies of various governments, from democratization to land
seizures by peasant communities in different countries. What holds this
field together is the notion that we can best understand and explain the
political phenomena of different nations (including our own) by comparing
them in careful, precise ways. In this course, we will examine some of the
questions Comparativists ask, and the ways they go about answering them.
We will also familiarize ourselves with the politics and polities of ten
nations (including the U.S.), and mull over arguments concerning their
differences and similarities. In this course you should become more
knowledgeable of other countries, and also see how comparisons enable us
to better understand our own nation’s political development. This course
is offered both semesters.
No prerequisite.
Credits: 1

PSC 231 Survey of Political Theory
The survey of political theory will use selected political theorists to examine a series of major questions which are central to political theory, e.g., power, authority, justice, and liberty. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1

PSC 242 Survey of International Politics
A study of major contemporary approaches to understanding international
politics, including political realism, pluralism, globalism, and feminism.
Through this framework, the course will take up concepts such as the
evaluation of national power and the balance of power, the interplay of
individuals and groups in international politics, the impact of capitalism
on the development of the world-system, and the role of gender in world
politics. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Credits: 1

PSC 261 Scope and Methods of Political Science
What do political scientists know and how do they know it? This course focuses on the nature of political science as a discipline, the range and kinds of questions it addresses, and the methods and techniques by which it seeks answers to those questions. We will use examples from U.S., comparative, and international politics to examine the scope of the political science discipline and the different approaches we take to answering important questions about how and why political systems work as they do. We will also survey some of the basic statistical techniques employed in systematic studies of politics and government. This course is strongly recommended for sophomores planning to major in political science. This course is offered in the spring semester. PSC 261 may require one lab session per week.
Credits: 1

PSC 287 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 288 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 311 Congress and the Executive
A study of the legislative and executive branches of the United States government. This course will involve analysis of each branch as an institution. Particular attention will be given to the interactions between and the interdependence of Congress and the Executive and the effects of these interactions on the decisions and operations of the two branches of government. Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 312 Parties, Elections and Pressure Groups
A systematic look at mechanisms for popular control of American
government. This course looks at the nature of public opinion and its
translation into political action. Political parties and interest groups
are investigated as mechanisms which link the citizen to the policy-making
system. Attention will be given to elections and the bases upon which
individuals make their decisions at the polls. We will also consider the
conflicting arguments about the decline, decomposition, and realignment of
parties in the 1980s and the rise of the single-issue interest group.
Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered
in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 313 Constitutional Law
The Supreme Court has accurately been described as a “Storm Center” of political controversy. This course examines the Court’s most potent power—to strike down as unconstitutional the actions of elected officials. We will focus on key Supreme Court decisions, including those dealing with affirmative action, gay rights, abortion, tax money for religious schools, and deciding the 2000 Presidential Election. What role should judges play in deciding such divisive issues? How should the Court apply such broadly worded constitutional guarantees as “equal protection” and “due process of law”? And what impact have the Court’s decisions had—on other branches of government and on American society in general? Counts as an advanced course in American Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 314 Topics in Constitutional Law
This course explores the nature of the Constitution and the role of the Court in enforcing it by focusing on a particular controversial topic in constiutional las. What role should the Court play in helping resolve our most difficult and searing conflicts? Is the Constitution adaptable to such challenges? Counts as an advance course in American Politics.
Political Science 111 or 313 or consent of the instructor
Credits: 1

PSC 317 State and Local Politics
A survey of the institutions, actors, and processes involved in the
governing of states, cities, and other local jurisdictions. Attention is
given to intergovernmental relations as well as to the analysis of
individual units. Field work is required. Counts as an advanced course in
American Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 324 Economic and Political Development
(ECO 224)
A brief survey of problems facing lesser-developed countries and of measures proposed and used for the advancement of political integration and the improvement of living standards and social welfare. The roles of capital accumulation, private initiative, representative government, and other factors in economic growth and political modernization will be studied. Counts as an advanced course in International Politics or Comparative Politics. This course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 325 Latin American Politics
The central purpose of this course is to introduce students to the varied
political institutions and practices throughout Latin America. Another
purpose is to sharpen our analytical tools so that we can better describe
and explain the political differences and similarities among Latin
American countries. Finally, this course will increase our understanding
of the obstacles Latin Americans have faced in building stable, equitable
political systems, and our appreciation of their many accomplishments.
Each year brings a new thematic focus. This year we will focus on
militarism and demilitarization. Counts as an advanced course in
Comparative Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 326 Politics of the Middle East
A survey of the politics of the major nations of the region plus attention
to several of the leading issues, including the Israeli-Arab conflict, oil
and the Persian Gulf, and the broader question of economic and social
development. Counts as an advanced course in Comparative Politics. This
course is offered in the spring semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 122 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 328 Comparative Non-Democratic Politics
An examination of some of the important cases of non-democratic politics
with special attention to their historical and ideological bases as well
as their structural and operational features. Counts as an advanced course
in Comparative Politics. This course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1

PSC 330 History of Political Thought: Plato to Machiavelli
A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from classical antiquity, the medieval period, or the Renaissance. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory.
Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 335 History of Political Thought: Hobbes to the 20th Century
A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from the modern period. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory. In fall 2006 this course will focus on Jean Jacques Rousseau.
Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 346 American Foreign Policy
An introduction to the diplomatic-military facets of past, present, and
alternative foreign policy strategies. An analysis of the political,
ideological, institutional, technological, and strategic factors shaping
the United States’ foreign policy. Counts as an advanced course in
International Politics or American Politics. This course is offered in the
fall semester.
Prerequisite: Political Science 242 or 111 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1

PSC 350 History of Political Thought: Contemporary Political Thought
A series of half-courses, each of which will focus on a particular political theorist from the contemporary period. Specific offerings will vary from year to year. Counts as advanced course work in political theory.
Prerequisite: Political Science 231 or consent of the instructor.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 371 Special Topics: American Politics
These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 372 Special Topics: Comparative Politics
These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 373 Special Topics: Political Theory
These courses will focus on a particular issue, concept, problem or question at an advanced level with specific prerequisites.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 387 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 388 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 487 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 488 Independent Study
Independent Study is available to students with the permission of the instructor who will supervise the study as well as from the department chair prior to enrollment. One-half or one course credit each semester.
Credits: 1/2

PSC 497 Senior Seminar
Open only to senior political science majors. This is both a reading and a research seminar, organized around a general concept central to the discipline. Participants discuss common readings on the topic. They also prepare individual research papers which treat the general theme, but from the stance of their chosen emphases within the major. The course is offered in the fall semester.
Credits: 1